This trade certainly doesn't make them better than the Lakers. Anything short of a championship is a bust for SA right?

 

Not better than the current Lakers roster...but take Ariza and/or Odom away and it's a different story. Let's wait and see who is on the '09 LA roster.

As 5Wide said in the other trade- if TD gets hurt, with or without this trade, it's all over for the Spurs. Assuming that everyone is healty-

 

PG- Parker/Fisher. Big advantage Spurs.

SG- Kobe/Ginobli. Big advantage Lakers.

SF- Ariza/Jefferson. I'd give the nod to the Spurs. I know Ariza is the flavor of the week, and Jefferson is old, but as a 4th option, I like him. Also, he is an unselfish player like the other Spurs. I also think Ariza is overrated. I'm also obnoxiously biased.

PF- Duncan/Gasol. Big advantage Spurs. This is assuming that TD is healthy, which is a big assumption.

 

As for the center position and Bench, the Lakers have an advantage that can't really be described by words.

 

Overall, I think Jefferson's addition to the team will outweigh Oberto, Thomas, and Bowen. None of those guys gave the Spurs any type of advantage over LA, at least not in the last 4 years.

 

When did 29 years old become old? He's only been in the NBA 7 years :lol:.

True, but I think some people are overrating Jefferson.

 

The biggest thing for the Spurs is staying healthy.

 

The only person who has a problem staying healthy for San Antonio is really Manu Ginobili, so I'm not sure why staying healthy is a concern.

This trade certainly doesn't make them better than the Lakers. Anything short of a championship is a bust for SA right?

 

I think this trade puts them right up there with the Lakers, to be honest. Especially if LA loses some of their key players.

As 5Wide said in the other trade- if TD gets hurt, with or without this trade, it's all over for the Spurs. Assuming that everyone is healty-

 

PG- Parker/Fisher. Big advantage Spurs.

SG- Kobe/Ginobli. Big advantage Lakers.

SF- Ariza/Jefferson. I'd give the nod to the Spurs. I know Ariza is the flavor of the week, and Jefferson is old, but as a 4th option, I like him. Also, he is an unselfish player like the other Spurs. I also think Ariza is overrated. I'm also obnoxiously biased.

PF- Duncan/Gasol. Big advantage Spurs. This is assuming that TD is healthy, which is a big assumption.

 

As for the center position and Bench, the Lakers have an advantage that can't really be described by words.

 

Overall, I think Jefferson's addition to the team will outweigh Oberto, Thomas, and Bowen. None of those guys gave the Spurs any type of advantage over LA, at least not in the last 4 years.

 

Assuming the Lakers re-sign Odom and Ariza, and everyone stays healthy...

 

PG - Parker gives SA a big advantage.

SG - Kobe is better, but the gap isn't enormous. Manu, when healthy, is a great player.

SF - Ariza is better, IMO. He's a better defender, he's younger, and he's probably going to keep ascending, while Jefferson is on the downside of his career most likely.

PF - Duncan is better, but again, the gap isn't enormous. Gasol is a great player as well.

C - Big advantage for LA if Bynum is healthy. If Odom is on the floor, SA's advantage at the four goes up, but the gap at center tilts way more in LA's favor.

 

Bench goes to LA.

 

Two more points, the Spurs do have the quick PG to attack LA, but they're not the type of physical team that frustrates the Lakers. So, they get 1 of 2 there.

 

It would be interesting, but I'd bet on LA. They're better and younger. If the Lakers re-sign Odom and Ariza, they're still better. Jefferson makes the Spurs better, but not enough to draw even.

^^^I think the gap between Kobe and Manu is bigger, as well as between Duncan and Gasol. But I agree with what you are saying. And from watching Popovich, he'll have his team be physical if needed. And I wouldn't be surprised to see the Spurs get a real banger down low at the 5- as for who, I don't have a clue.

 

When did 29 years old become old? He's only been in the NBA 7 years :lol:.

 

I never realized he was that young. I guess it is because we haven't heard much of out him in recent years. Good for SA.

Assuming the Lakers re-sign Odom and Ariza, and everyone stays healthy...

 

PG - Parker gives SA a big advantage.

SG - Kobe is better, but the gap isn't enormous. Manu, when healthy, is a great player.

SF - Ariza is better, IMO. He's a better defender, he's younger, and he's probably going to keep ascending, while Jefferson is on the downside of his career most likely.

PF - Duncan is better, but again, the gap isn't enormous. Gasol is a great player as well.

C - Big advantage for LA if Bynum is healthy. If Odom is on the floor, SA's advantage at the four goes up, but the gap at center tilts way more in LA's favor.

 

Bench goes to LA.

 

Two more points, the Spurs do have the quick PG to attack LA, but they're not the type of physical team that frustrates the Lakers. So, they get 1 of 2 there.

 

It would be interesting, but I'd bet on LA. They're better and younger. If the Lakers re-sign Odom and Ariza, they're still better. Jefferson makes the Spurs better, but not enough to draw even.

 

Ariza is better than Jefferson? Jefferson is on the downside of his career? What? He's 29 years old! :lol;

HB's right (can't believe I'm saying it )- the more I look around, I have a hard time agreeing that Ariza is better than Jefferson. Ariza, while 5 years younger, has been in the league for 6 or 7 years and accomplished very little besides the 2nd half of this year. Jefferson has averaged 17+ ppg over his career, is only 29, and has been in the league only 3 years longer than Ariza.

HB's right (can't believe I'm saying it )- the more I look around, I have a hard time agreeing that Ariza is better than Jefferson. Ariza, while 5 years younger, has been in the league for 6 or 7 years and accomplished very little besides the 2nd half of this year. Jefferson has averaged 17+ ppg over his career, is only 29, and has been in the league only 3 years longer than Ariza.

 

Jefferson is far better IMO. Ariza only averaged 11 ppg in the playoffs this year. 4.2 rebounds and a little over 2 assists per game too.

 

Jefferson on the other hand has had two seasons where he has averaged over 22 ppg. He averages, like you said, 17 ppg over his career, which is 6 points better than Ariza when he was at his best (in the playoffs this year). Jefferson isn't on the decline. He averaged 16 ppg two years ago and has improved those numbers the last two years (22 ppg last year, 19 ppg this year). Jefferson also averages over 5 rebounds per game and 3 assists per game as well. There is no question that he's better than Ariza IMO.

Also, based on what I've read, many expect the Spurs to go after Rasheed Wallace (unless they trade up in the draft and get someone there they like).

Wow! Spurs are going to make that final run, or so it seems.

Wow! Spurs are going to make that final run, or so it seems.

 

I wouldn't say "final" run, unless by run you mean for the next 2-3 seasons. I think Duncan will be a top notch player for at least 2-3 more years. Meanwhile, Parker (27 years old), Ginobili (31) and Jefferson (29) aren't that old IMO. I didn't realize Ginobili was 31, but he's only been in the league 6 years.

 

Heck, Duncan is only 33. I think he can play great for 2-3 more years, and still be effective for 5 more. Just looking at Duncans stats, he has had a very impressive career.

Ariza is better than Jefferson? Jefferson is on the downside of his career? What? He's 29 years old! :lol;

 

I thought he was older.

 

Also, you can click on the smiley. It's easier. :lol:

 

And, yes...I'd take Trevor Ariza. He averaged 11 ppg as the 5th option on his team.

 

Jefferson was just under 20 as his teams #1 option with Michael Redd sidelined.

 

I think Ariza could have scored 8 more per game if he was the top option.

 

Just a hunch...

Two or three tops. You know that TD is my favorite player of all time, but he's got 11 or 12 years in addition to the 150 playoff games, essentially two more seasons, as I mentioned.

 

Things are going to get interesting after the 2010 FA signings- perhaps giving this Spurs bunch a year to play together before the entire league changes places will be a big boost.

The Spurs made a great deal and if they can stay healthy this team will be top 3 in the league.